Glass panel refrigerator door

ABSTRACT

A glass panel refrigerator door having a glass molding secured by screws to a flange on the door frame, a magnetic gasket mounted on the glass molding, and a gasket molding retaining the gasket on the glass molding and screwed to the glass molding while also clamping the glass molding under another flange on the door frame.

United States Patent Winsler et a1.

1 July 4,1972

GLASS PANEL REFRIGERATOR DOOR Robert J. Winsler, Elkton, Ky.; FredericA. Richter, Chicago, Ill.

Assignee: Ardco, Inc., Chicago, 111.

Filed: Dec. 31, 1969 App1.No.: 889,560

Inventors:

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 611,020, Jan. 23,1963, Pat. No. 3,499,245.

us. C1 ..49/70, 49 400, 49/478,

49/501 Int. Cl ..E06b 7/12 Field of Search ..49/501, 504, 371, 70, 386,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,858,408 10/1958 Barroero..49/410 X 2,987,782 6/1961 Kurowski ..49/386 3,177,989 4/1965 Di Chiaro..49/425 3,331,159 7/1967 Cooke et al ..49/371 Primary Examinerl(ennethDowney Attorney-Max Dressler, R. Howard Goldsmith, James W. Clement,Herman .1. Gordon, Ernest Cheslow and Jack Shore s71 ABSTRACT A glasspanel refrigerator door having a glass molding secured by screws to aflange on the door frame, a magnetic gasket mounted on the glassmolding, and a gasket molding retaining the gasket on the glass moldingand screwed to the glass molding while also clamping the glass moldingunder another flange on the door frame.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures GLASS PANEL REFRIGERATOR DOOR Thisapplication is a division of our copending application, Ser. No.611,020, filed Jan. 23, 1967 now US. Pat. No. 3,499,245 granted Mar. 10,1970.

This invention relates to glass panel refrigerator doors of the generaltype represented by the Kurowski US. Pat., No. 2,987,782, patented June13, 1961, and No. 3,131,421, patented May 5,1964. Such refrigeratordoors are widely used in supermarkets, convenience food stores, beveragestores and the like for refrigerated display cases and cabinets fromwhich purchasers may select refrigerated beverages, foods and otherproducts. Such doors are used for both normal temperature and lowtemperature refrigerated cases and cabinets. Normal temperatureapplications involve the display of dairy products and the like,slightly above freezing temperatures. Low temperature applicationsinvolve the display of frozen foods, ice cream and the like, well belowfreezing temperatures.

The present invention relates particularly to refrigerator doors of thetype in which the glass panel is mounted in a metal supporting frame.The metal is generally aluminum, although other metals could beemployed. Generally, the door frame is fabricated from aluminumextrusions. The door is generally mounted in a metal outer frame orcasing which usually is arranged to support a plurality of doors, sideby side. Each door is normally provided with a gasket to form a sealbetween the door and the frame.

One object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator door ofthe foregoing character in which the glass panel and the gasket aremounted on the metal frame of the door in a new and improved manner.

A further object is to provide such a new and improved refrigerator doorin which the glass panel and the gasket are secured to the metal frameby means of metal molding strips which are fastened directly to themetal frame.

It is a further object to provide a new and improved refrigerator doorof the foregoing character which employs a first set of metal moldingstrips which are screwed or otherwise secured directly to the metalframe and which support the gasket as well as securing the glass panelin the frame; and a second set of metal molding strips which are screwedor otherwise secured to the first molding strips and have a clampingaction between the gasket and the frame, so as to clamp the gasketagainst the first molding strips, while clamping the first moldingstrips against the frame.

Another object is to provide a new and improved refrigerator door of theforegoing character in which the door frame is made of metal extrusionswith a hollow core, and in which the metal molding strips close the rearside of the hollow core.

A further object is to provide such a refrigerator door in which themetal molding strips are secured directly to the metal extrusions in anew and improved manner, without the aid of a wood core or the likewithin the extrusions, the need for any such wood core thereby beingobviated.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear fromthe following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of a refrigerator door assembly tobe described as an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section taken through one of the doorsand the outer frame.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken through the outer frame, andshowing the sealing strip for the frame in the condition in which it isshipped from the factory to the point of in- Stallation.

FIG. 4 is a cross section similar to FIG. 3, but showing the sealingstrip after the protective cover portion thereof has been removed,preparatory to final installation of the frame.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the door andthe outer frame, the sealing strip for the outer frame being shown inits installed position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged section corresponding to a portion ofFIG. 5 and taken through the door.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, somewhat diagrammatic rear elevation of theouter frame for the door assembly.

As already indicated, FIG. 1 illustrates a refrigerator door assembly10, comprising a plurality of doors 12 which are swingably mounted in anouter frame or casing 14. As shown to best advantage in FIGS. 2 and 5,the outer frame 14 is adapted to be mounted within an opening 16 in awall 18 or the like. It will be understood that the door assembly 10 isadapted to be used on a free standing refrigerated case, or inconnection with a built-in cooler or cabinet for refrigeratedmerchandise.

It will be seen that each door 12 comprises a transparent panel 20 madeof glass or other suitable transparent material. The panel 20 is mountedin a frame 22, preferably made of aluminum or some other suitablematerial. The door frame 22 is swingably mounted in the outer casing 14by means of suitable upper and lower hinges 24 and 26. Appropriatehinges are disclosed and claimed in the previously mentioned Kurowskipatents. A suitable handle 28 is also mounted on the door for use inopening the door.

In the usual case, a plurality of shelves 30 are mounted behind thedoors 12 to support merchandise of various kinds. The merchandise maycomprise dairy products or the like in the case of a normal temperaturecooler, or frozen food or ice cream in the case of a low temperaturecooler.

Each door 12 is preferably provided with a gasket or sealing strip 32 toform a seal between the door and the outer frame 14', when the door isclosed. It is preferred to employ a gasket of the magnetic type, havingmagnets 34 therein to hold the door shut and provide firm sealingpressure between the gasket and the outer frame 14.

The door frame 22 is preferably fabricated from a plurality ofrectangularly related extrusions or other members 36 made of aluminum orsome other suitable metal. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each extrusion 36is formed with a hollow core 38. The extrusion has a front wall 40, anouter side wall 42, and an inner side wall 44. The side walls 42 and 44project rearwardly from the front wall 40. The hollow core 38 is formedby the channel-shaped space bounded by the walls 40, 42 and 44.

The glass panel 20 is mounted in the door frame 22, within the spacebounded by the inner side walls 44 of the extrusions 36. As shown, eachextrusion 36 is formed with a panel supporting flange or lip 46 againstwhich the glass panel 20 is mounted. The flange 46 extends inwardlybeyond the inner side wall 44 and constitutes an extension of the frontwall 40.

The glass panel 20 is normally of the insulated type, having a pluralityof spaced panes 48. The illustrated panel 20 has three panes, but doubleand quadruple panes are also well known. Spacers 50 are hermeticallysealed between the edges of the panes 48, so that moisture will beexcluded from the spaces between the panes. The dry air between thepanes has a good insulating value.

As shown, a channel-shaped frame may be provided around the edges of theglass panes 48. A soft sealing strip 54 is preferably mounted betweenthe panel 20 and the flange 46. The sealing strip 54 may be made ofplastic, rubber or any other suitable soft material.

One or more electrical heating cables 56 are preferably mounted in thehollow core 38 of the door frame 22, to heat the door frame so as toprevent any possible condensation of moisture upon the outer surface ofthe frame. In the absence of any such heating cable, the frame 22 may becooled to such an extent by the refrigerator that moisture will becondensed from the atmosphere on the frame, particularly underconditions of high atmospheric humidity.

Molding strips 58, preferably made of aluminum or other suitable metal,are provided to hold the glass panel 20 in the frame 22. The moldingstrips 58 are preferably in the form of alumintu'n extrusions. As shownto best advantage in FIGS. 5 and 6, each molding strip 58 has a bodyportion 60 which is screwed or otherwise secured to the door frame 22.The molding strip 58 has a glass retaining flange 62 which is adapted toproject inwardly beyond the inner side wall 44 of the frame extrusion36. The exact shape of the glass retaining flange 62 depends upon thethickness of the glass panel 20. As shown, the glass retaining flangecurves forwardly from the body portion 60 of the molding strip 58.

A soft strip or pad 64 is preferably interposed between the glassretaining flange 62 and the glass panel 20. The pad 64 may be made ofrubber, plastic or some other suitable soft material.

The body portion 60 of the glass retaining strip 58 is preferablyscrewed or otherwise secured to a flange or lip 66 formed on the innerwall 44 of the frame extrusion 36. The illustrated flange 64 extendsgenerally at right angles to the inner wall 44 and projects toward theouter wall 42.

A plurality of self-drilling screws 68 are preferably employed to securethe body portion 60 of the molding strip 58 to the flange 66. The screws68 extend through the body portion 60 and the flange 66. It will be seenthat each screw 68 has a self-drilling point 70, a self-tapping screwshank 72, and a flat self-countersinking head 74 which is recessed intothe body portion 60. A suitable power tool may be employed to insert theself-drilling screws 68. To facilitate the accurate location of thescrews 68, a locating groove 76 is preferably formed in the rear side ofthe flange 66. The illustrated groove 76 is generally V-shaped in crosssection. The groove 76 extends along the entire length of the flange 66and is adapted to locate the self-drilling screws 68 in whateverpositions they may be inserted.

To provide further assistance in locating the panel molding strips 58,each strip is preferably provided with a shoulder 78 which is adapted toengage the edge of the flange 66. The body portion 60 of the moldingstrip 58 has an outer portion 80 of the increased thickness to form theshoulder 78.

The illustrated molding strip 58 has an outer flange 82 which projectsfrom the body portion 60 toward the outer side wall 42 of the doorextrusion 36. The flange 82 is preferably of reduced thickness relativeto the thickened portion 80 and is offset rearwardly relative to thebody portion 60.

A rear retaining flange 84 is preferably formed on the outer side wall42 to engage the flange 82 of the molding strip 58. The retaining flange84 projects inwardly, generally at right angles to the outer side wall.It will be seen that the flange 84 is offset rearwardly relative to therear flange 66 on the inner side wall 44. lnaddition to retaining theglass panel 20, it will be seen that the molding strip 58 closes therear side of the hollow core or channel 38 in the door extrusion 36.Moreover, the gasket 32 is preferably mounted across the rear side ofthe molding strip 58. Thus, the body portion 60 is formed with a flatrear surface 86 against which the gasket 32 is mounted. The illustratedgasket 32 has a flat mounting portion or strip 88 adapted to engage theflat surface 86. A pair of flexible pleats or folds 90 are formedintegrally with the flat mounting strip 88 and are adapted to extendbetween the mounting strip and a tubular outer portion 92, within whichthe magnets 34 of the gasket 32 are mounted.

To retain the gasket 32, the molding strip 58 is formed with a flange orlip 94 which is spaced rearwardly from the inner edge of the bodyportion 60. The lip 94 forms a channel 96 adapted to receive the inneredge of the flat mounting strip 88. It will be understood that the flatmounting strip 88 of the gasket 32 fits snugly within the channel 96.

A second molding strip 98 is preferably provided to clamp the gasket 32against the molding strip 58, while also clamping the outer flange 82 ofthe molding strip 58 against the retaining flange 84 on the doorextrusion 36. Preferably, the molding strip 98 is screwed or otherwisesecured to the molding strip 58. The second molding strip 98 ispreferably in the form of an extrusion made of aluminum or othersuitable material.

The illustrated molding strip 98 has an outer gasket retaining flange100, adapted to clamp the outer edge of the gasket mounting strip 88against the body portion 60 of the molding strip 58. The flange 100 hasa pointed lip or edge 102 which is turned forwardly and is adapted tobite into the mounting portion 88 of the gasket, so as to prevent anypossible dislodgement of the gasket.

The illustrated molding strip 98 has an outer flange 104 adapted toengage the retaining flange 84 on the outer side wall 42 of the doorextrusion 36. The flange 104 projects forwardly beyond the flange 100.

The molding strip 98 has a body portion 106 between the flanges and 104.It is preferred to employ self-drilling screws 108 to secure the moldingstrip 98 to the molding strip 58. The construction of the screws 108 maybe the same as that of the screws 68. it will be seen that the screws108 extend through the body portion 106 of the molding strip 98, and theouter flange 82 of the molding strip 58. The screws 108 are tapped intothe flange 82. The tapering heads of the screws 108 are recessed intothe molding strip 98 so as to be flush with the body portion 106.

it will be understood that the screws 108 clamp the flange 100 againstthe mounting portion 88 of the gasket 32. At the clamp the outer flange104 of the molding strip 98 against the rear side of the retainingflange 84.

To assist in locating the molding strip 98, the retaining flange 84 isformed with a rearwardly turned lip 110 which is adapted to be engagedby a shoulder 1 12, formed on the molding strip 98 between the flange104 and the body 106. In addition, the molding strip 98 is fonned with alocating flange or leg 114 which projects forwardly from the bodyportion 106 and is adapted to engage the rear side of the flange 82 ofthe molding strip 58. A shoulder l 16 is formed between the flange 82and the body portion 60 of the strip 58 to engage and locate the flange114. It will be understood that the flange or leg 114 limits the extentto which the gasket mounting member 88 may be compressed by tighteningthe screws 108.

The illustrated molding strip 98 has a curved contour 118 on the outsideof the flange 104 to form a smoothly rounded comer at the rear of theouter side wall 42. Similarly, the flange 100 has a smoothly roundedcontour 120. The lip or flange 94 also has a smoothly rounded outercontour 122.

The outer frame or casing 14 is generally rectangular and preferablycomprises a plurality of rectangularly related border members 124. Aplurality of vertical mullions 126 are connected between the upper andlower border. members to provide for the mounting of a plurality ofdoors on the outer frame 14. The mullions 126 are mounted at regularintervals, corresponding to the width of the doors.

As shown to best advantage in FIGS. 2 and 5, the border member 124 arepreferably in the form of extrusions made of aluminum or some othersuitable material. The illustrated border members or extrusions 124 aregenerally Z-shaped in cross section. Thus, each extrusion 124 comprisesa front or. outer flange 128, a rear or inner flange 130, and a web orbody 132 extending therebetween. The front and rear flanges 128 and 130project in opposite directions, generally at right angles to the web132.

When the doors 12 are closed, they are recessed into the frame 14 so asto be generally flush with the front flanges 128 of the border members124. The rear flanges 130 serve as stops for the doors 12, as do themullions 126.

The rear flange 130 of each border member 124 is preferably hollow inconstruction and thus has a hollow core. As illustrated, the rear flange130 is formed with two channels or grooves 134 and 136 which are adaptedto receive one or more electrical heating cables 138. In the illustratedconstruction, there are two of the heating cables 138 in the channel134. The heating cables 138 are employed to warm the border members 124to such an extent as to avoid any condensation of moisture on the bordermembers.

Each rear flange 130 is provided with a cover plate 140 to close thechannels 134 and 136. The plate 140 is screwed or otherwise removablysecured to the rear flange 130. Thus, the illustrated plate 140 issecured to the flange 130 by means of a plurality of self-tapping screws142 which are tapped into suitable channels 143 in the flange 130. itwill be seen that the flange 130 has a mid portion 144, between thechannels 134 and 136. The screws 142 extend through holes in the midpor- 4 tion of the plate 140 and are tapped into the channels 143 whichare formed in the mid portion 144 of the flange 130.

The covering plate 140 spans the open front sides of both of thechannels 134 and 136. A recess 146 is preferably formed in the frontside of the flange 130, to receive the cover plate 140, so that thecover plate will be flush with the front side of the flange.

Occasionally, it may be necessary to replace the heating cables 138,which may burn out after extended service. The heating cables may easilybe removed and replaced by removing the cover plates 140. This may bedone simply by removing the screws 142.

The cover plates 140 also preferably serve as magnetic members toattract the magnets 134 of the magnetic gasket 132. Thus, the coverplates 140 are preferably made of magnetic stainless steel, or othersuitable magnetic material. It will be seen from FIG. 5 that the gaskets132 are adapted to engage the cover plates 140. The magnets 134 providefirm pressure between the gaskets 132 and the cover plates 140.

As already indicated, the outer frame 14 is normally mounted within anopening 16 in'the front wall 18 of the refrigerator case or cabinet. Asealing strip 148 is preferably provided between the outer frame 14 andthe wall 18. The sealing strip 148 is normally made of plastic, rubberor other soft material. As shown, the sealing strip 148 is generally 2-shaped, to cover virtually the entire rear surface of the Z- shapedborder extrusion 124. Thus, the sealing strip 148 has a front flange150, a rear flange 152, and a web or body 154, extending therebetween.The front flange 150 is adapted to be interposed between the wall 18 andthe front flange 128 of the border extrusion 124. The rear side of thefront flange 150 is preferably formed with a plurality of sealing lipsor flaps 156, adapted to engage the wall 18.

The rear flange 152 covers the rear side of the rear flange 130 on theextrusion 124. Similarly, the web 154 covers the outside of the web 132and is adapted to be interposed between the web 132 and the wall 18.

To retain the sealing strip 148, an Lshaped lip or flange 158 ispreferably formed on the rear inner corner of the rear flange 130. Thelip 158 forms a channel 160 adapted to receive a reduced edge portion162 on the rear flange 152 of the sealing strip 148. After the reducedportion 162 of the sealing strip 148 has been inserted into the channel160, the lip 158 is preferably struck inwardly at intervals to fomspaced points 164 which dig into the sealing strip and prevent it frombecoming detached from the flange 130.

A key or tongue 166 is preferably formed on the inner side of the web154 of the sealing strip 148, for reception in a groove or channel 168,formed in the outer side of the flange 130, near the rear cornerthereof. The key 166 interlocks with the groove 168 to assist inretaining the sealing strip 148 on the extrusion 124. It will be seenthat the key 166 and the groove 168 are of dovetail shape, to providesecure interlocking therebetween.

Initially, the sealing strip 148 is preferably formed with an additionalflange 170 which is attached to the front flange 150 and is adapted tobe wrapped around the front of the front flange 128 on the extrusion124, as shown in FIG. 3. It will be seen that the flange 170 isgenerally J-shaped in cross section. The wrap-around flange 170 protectsthe outer edge and front surface of the extrusion 124 during theshipment and handling of the outer frame 14. When the outer frame 14 isready to be installed, the wrap-around flange 170 is torn or ripped offthe front flange 150, as shown in FIG. 4. To facilitate the removal ofthe flange 170, a deep groove 172 is formed between the flange 170 ofthe outer edge of the front flange 150. It will be understood that theflange 170 is torn off along the groove 172. The provision of the groove172 leaves only a thin web 174 which offers little resistance to theremoval of the flange 170.

To assist in retaining the sealing strip 148 on the extrusion 124 duringshipment and handling, the web or body portion 154 of the sealing stripis preferably formed with a dog-leg portion 176 which acts as a spring.The dog-leg portion 176 is initially L-shaped in cross section, as shownin FIG. 3. It will be understood that the dog-leg portion 176 can bestraightened to facilitate the mounting of the flange around the frontflange 128 of the extrusion 124. The spring action of the dog-legportion 176 then retains the flange 170 on the extrusion flange 128.

When the outer frame 14 is installed, the flange 170 is torn off,whereupon the sealing strip 154 assumes the positiOn shown in FIG. 4,with the dog-leg portion 176 in its initial or L- shaped position. Theframe 14 is inserted into the opening 16 and is pushed rearwardly sothat the front flange 150 of the sealing strip 148 is compressed betweenthe wall 18 and the front flange 128 of the extrusion 124. As a result,the dog-leg 176 is straightened out, as shown to best advantage in FIG.5. The front flange 128 is formed with ridges 177 for engaging thesealing strip 148.

Each of the illustrated mullions 126 is generally channelshaped and thuscomprises a front wall 180 and a pair of rearwardly projecting flangesor side walls 182. The front wall 180 is preferably formed with one ormore grooves or channels 184 to receive electrical heating cables 186.Two such cables 186 are illustrated. It will be understood that thecables 186 heat the mullions 126 to a sufficient extent to preventcondensation of moisture on the mullions.

The channels 184 for the heating cables are closed by a removable coverplate 188 which is screwed or otherwise secured to the front wall 180 ofthe mullion 126. In this case, a plurality of self-tapping screws 190extend through holes in the plate 188 and are tapped into channels 191in the mullion 126.

The cover plates 188 on the mullions 126 also preferably serve asmagnetic arrnatures for the magnetic gaskets 132. Thus, the cover plates188 are preferably made of a stainless steel having magneticcharacteristics or some other suitable magnetic material.

To provide heat insulation, the side flanges 182 and portions of thefront wall 180 of each mullion 126 are preferably covered with coverstrips 192, made of plastic, rubber or other suitable material. As shownin FIG. 5, each mullion 126 is preferably equipped with two of thestrips 192, each of which covers one side flange 182 and the adjacentportion of the front wall 180.

Thus, each of the illustrated cover strips 192 is generally L- shaped incross section and is provided with a front leg 194 and a side leg 196.Means are preferably provided for securely fastening the cover strips192 to the mullion 126. As shown, a generally L-shaped lip or flange 198is formed on each of the rearwardly projecting flanges 182 of themullion 126. Each lip 198 forms a channel or groove 200, adapted toreceive a reduced edge portion or flange 202 on the corresponding coverstrip 192. After the flange 202 has been inserted into the channel 200,the lip 198 may be bent inwardly against the flange 202 at intervalsalong the length of the mullion, so that the flange 202 will be securelyclamped in place.

Similarly, the illustrated mullion 126 is formed with L- shaped flangesor lips 204 to retain reduced edge portions or flanges 206 on the frontlegs 194 of the cover strips 192. Each lip 204 forms a channel or groove208 adapted to receive the reduced edge portion 206. The lip 204 may bebent rearwardly at intervals so as to clamp the reduced edge portion 206in place.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cover strips 192 are formed with recesses 210 toreceive the magnetic cover plate 188. The front legs 194 of the coverstrips 126 are clamped against the mullion 126 by the cover plate 188.

Each mullion 126 is hollow, in that a channel-shaped opening 212 isformed therein. Thus, the mullions may be employed very advantageouslyas raceways or conduits for electrical wiring. The rear side of eachmullion 126 is preferably closed by a removable plate 214 which concealsthe electrical wiring and also acts as a mounting plate for one or moreelectrical lighting fixtures 216. Electrical wiring may be installed inthe mullions to supply electricity to the electric lighting fixtures 216and also to the heating cables 186.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a channel-shaped raceway 218 is preferablymounted on the rear side of the upper horizontal frame member orextrusion 124. Suitable bolts or screws 220 may be employed to securethe raceway 218 to the rear flange 130 of the outer frame extrusion 124.interconnecting openings may be provided between the raceway 218 and theupper ends of the channels 212 in the mullions 126. Thus, wiring may bebrought into the mullions through the raceway 218.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, flexible electrical cords 222 are preferablyemployed to supply electrical energy to the doors 12, to energize theheating cables 56 therein. The cords 222 extend into the upperhorizontal extrusions 36 of the doors 12 and are connected to theheating cables 56 therein. The other end of each cord 222 is preferablyprovided with a plug 224 adapted to be inserted into a suitablereceptacle 226 on the upper horizontal raceway 218. Suitable wiring maybe provided in the raceway 218 to supply electrical energy to thevarious receptacles 226. It will be understood that the cords 222 arelong enough to provide for free opening of the doors 12.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION While the installation and operation of therefrigerator door assembly have been described, it may be helpful toofi'er a brief summary. For shipment and handling, the protectiveflanges 170 are provided on the insulating and sealing strip 148, asshown in FIG. 3. The dog-leg portion 176 provides a spring action whichretains the protective flange 170 on the front flange 128 of the outerframe extrusion 124.

The outer frame 14 is inserted loosely into the opening 16, and then theprotective flange 170 is torn off along the groove 172, as shown in FIG.4. The outer frame 14 is then securely pressed against the wall 18, asshown in FIG. 5, so as to straighten out the dog-leg portion 176. Theflaps or lips 156 form a tight seal against the wall 18.

During the normal use of the doors 12, the magnetic cover plates 140 and188 on the outer frame member 124 and the mullions 126, respectively,form magnetic armatures for the magnets 34 in the magnetic gaskets 32.The gaskets 32 are securely retained on the doors by the lips 94 on theglass molding strips 58, and also by the flanges 100 on the outermolding strips 98.

Occasionally, the heating cables 138 in the outer frame 14 may burn out,in which case it is necessary to change the heating cables. This maybedone very easily by removing the cover plates 140 from the rear flanges130 of the outer frame extrusions 124. It is a simple matter to removethe cover plates 140, by unscrewing the screws 142.

Similarly, the heating cables 186 in the mullions 126 may be changedvery easily by unscrewing the screws 190 and removing the cover plates188. It will be evident that full access to the heating cables 138 and186 is available from the front of the outer frame 14. It is nevernecessary to remove the outer frame 14 from the wall opening 16 tochange the heating cables. It is only necessary to remove the magneticstainless steel cover plates 140 and 188, which is an easy operation.

Occasionally, it may also become necessary to change the heating cables56 in the doors 12. This may be done quite easily by removing themolding strips 98 and 58. The outer molding strips 98 may be removed byunscrewing the screws 108. The gasket 32 is then removed, so that thescrews 68 may be unscrewed to remove the glass molding strips 58. Fullaccess may then be had to the heating cables 56 within the hollow cores38 of the door extrusions 36.

It will be recognized that the refrigerator door assembly 10 is easy toinstall and also easy to service in the field. The door assembly isruggedly built so that it will withstand hard service and give a longtrouble-free life.

Various other modifications, alternative constructions, and quivalentsmay be employed without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention, as exemplified in the foregoing description and defined inthe following claims.

We claim:

1. In a refrigerator door,

the combination comprising a door frame,

a transparent panel mounted in said frame,

said frame comprising a plurality of rectangularly related framemembers,

each of said frame members being generally channel-shaped and having afront wall with inner and outer side walls projecting rearwardly fromsaid front wall,

each frame member having an open rear side,

said frame members having panel supporting flanges projecting inwardlybeyond said inner side walls and adjacent said front walls,

said trans arent panel being mounted against said panel supportingflanges,

said inner side wall of each frame member having a first rear flangeprojecting from the rear portion thereof toward said outer side wall,

said outer side wall of each frame member having a second rear flangeprojecting from the rear portion thereof toward said inner side wall,

a plurality of rectangularly related panel molding strips mounted onsaid frame members and retaining said transparent panel in said frameand against said panel supporting flanges,

said panel molding strips being mounted directly against said first rearflanges,

a plurality of first removable fasteners for securing said panel moldingstrips to said first rear flanges,

a gasket mounted against said panel molding strips,

a plurality of gasket molding strips for clamping said gasket againstsaid panel molding strips,

each of said gasket molding strips having an inner edge portion engagingsaid gasket and an outer edge portion engaging the rear side of saidsecond rear flange,

each of said panel molding strips having an outwardly extending portionengaging the front side of said second rear flange to close the openrear side of the frame member,

and a plurality of second removable fasteners for securing each gasketmolding strip to said outwardly extending portion of the correspondingpanel molding strip.

2. A combination according to claim 1,

in which each panel molding strip comprises a lip for retaining saidgasket thereon,

said gasket having an inner edge portion retained under said lip. I

3. A combination according to claim 1,

in which said first fasteners comprise screws extending through openingsin said panel molding strips and tapped into said first rear flanges.

4. A combination according to claim 1,

in which said second fasteners comprise screws extending throughopenings in said gasket molding strips and tapped into said panelmolding strips.

5. A combination according to claim 1,

including electrical heating cables mounted within said channel shapedframe members adjacent said front walls thereof,

said heating cables being accessible by removing said gasket moldingstrips and said panel molding strips.

6. In a refrigerator door,

the combination comprising a door frame,

a transparent panel mounted in said frame,

said frame comprising a plurality of rectangularly related framemembers,

each of said frame members being generally channel-shaped and having afront wall with inner and outer side walls projecting rearwardly fromsaid front wall,

each frame member having an open rear side,

said frame members having panel supporting flanges projecting inwardlybeyond said inner side walls and adjacent said front walls,

said transparent panel being mounted against said panel supportingflanges,

a plurality of rectangularly related panel molding strips mounted onsaid frame members and retaining said transparent panel in said frameand against said panel supporting flanges,

said panel molding strips being mounted directly against said inner sidewalls,

a plurality of first removable fasteners for securing said panel moldingstrips to said inner side walls,

said panel molding strips having outer portions closing the open rearsides of said frame members,

a gasket mounted against said panel molding strips,

a plurality of gasket molding strips for clamping said gasket againstsaid panel molding strips,

and a plurality of second removable fasteners for securing said gasketmolding strips to said outer portions of said panel molding strips.

7. A combination according to claim 6,

in which said first removable fasteners comprise screws tapped into saidinner side walls.

8. A combination according to claim 6,

in which said second removable fasteners comprise screws tapped intosaid panel molding strips.

9. A combination according to claim 6,

in which each of said outer side walls is formed with a rear flangeprojecting toward the corresponding inner side wall,

said panel molding strips and said gasket molding strips being engagedwith opposite sides of said rear flanges.

10. A combination according to claim 9,

in which said gasket molding strips and said rear flanges are formedwith interengageable shoulders for locating said gasket molding strips.

l l. A combination according to claim 6,

in which said gasket molding strips and said panel molding strips areformed with interengageable shoulders for locating said gasket moldingstrips.

12. A combination according to claim 6,

in which said panel molding strips and said inner side walls are formedwith interengageable shoulders for locating said panel molding strips.

13. A combination according to claim 6,

in which said inner side walls are formed with outwardly projecting rearflanges for supporting said panel molding strips,

said first removable fasteners comprising screws tapped into saidoutwardly projecting rear flanges.

1. In a refrigerator door, the combination comprising a door frame, atransparent panel mounted in said frame, said frame comprising aplurality of rectangularly related frame members, each of said framemembers being generally channel-shaped and having a front wall withinner and outer side walls projecting rearwardly from said front wall,each frame member having an open rear side, said frame members havingpanel supporting flanges projecting inwardly beyond said inner sidewalls and adjacent said front walls, said transparent panel beingmounted against said panel supporting flanges, said inner side wall ofeach frame member having a first rear flange projecting from the rearportion thereof toward said outer side wall, said outer side wall ofeach frame member having a second rear flange projecting from the rearportion thereof toward said inner side wall, a plurality ofrectangularly related panel molding strips mounted on said frame membersand retaining said transparent panel in said frame and against saidpanel supporting flanges, said panel molding strips being mounteddirectly against said first rear flanges, a plurality of first remoVablefasteners for securing said panel molding strips to said first rearflanges, a gasket mounted against said panel molding strips, a pluralityof gasket molding strips for clamping said gasket against said panelmolding strips, each of said gasket molding strips having an inner edgeportion engaging said gasket and an outer edge portion engaging the rearside of said second rear flange, each of said panel molding stripshaving an outwardly extending portion engaging the front side of saidsecond rear flange to close the open rear side of the frame member, anda plurality of second removable fasteners for securing each gasketmolding strip to said outwardly extending portion of the correspondingpanel molding strip.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, in whicheach panel molding strip comprises a lip for retaining said gasketthereon, said gasket having an inner edge portion retained under saidlip.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, in which said firstfasteners comprise screws extending through openings in said panelmolding strips and tapped into said first rear flanges.
 4. A combinationaccording to claim 1, in which said second fasteners comprise screwsextending through openings in said gasket molding strips and tapped intosaid panel molding strips.
 5. A combination according to claim 1,including electrical heating cables mounted within said channel shapedframe members adjacent said front walls thereof, said heating cablesbeing accessible by removing said gasket molding strips and said panelmolding strips.
 6. In a refrigerator door, the combination comprising adoor frame, a transparent panel mounted in said frame, said framecomprising a plurality of rectangularly related frame members, each ofsaid frame members being generally channel-shaped and having a frontwall with inner and outer side walls projecting rearwardly from saidfront wall, each frame member having an open rear side, said framemembers having panel supporting flanges projecting inwardly beyond saidinner side walls and adjacent said front walls, said transparent panelbeing mounted against said panel supporting flanges, a plurality ofrectangularly related panel molding strips mounted on said frame membersand retaining said transparent panel in said frame and against saidpanel supporting flanges, said panel molding strips being mounteddirectly against said inner side walls, a plurality of first removablefasteners for securing said panel molding strips to said inner sidewalls, said panel molding strips having outer portions closing the openrear sides of said frame members, a gasket mounted against said panelmolding strips, a plurality of gasket molding strips for clamping saidgasket against said panel molding strips, and a plurality of secondremovable fasteners for securing said gasket molding strips to saidouter portions of said panel molding strips.
 7. A combination accordingto claim 6, in which said first removable fasteners comprise screwstapped into said inner side walls.
 8. A combination according to claim6, in which said second removable fasteners comprise screws tapped intosaid panel molding strips.
 9. A combination according to claim 6, inwhich each of said outer side walls is formed with a rear flangeprojecting toward the corresponding inner side wall, said panel moldingstrips and said gasket molding strips being engaged with opposite sidesof said rear flanges.
 10. A combination according to claim 9, in whichsaid gasket molding strips and said rear flanges are formed withinterengageable shoulders for locating said gasket molding strips.
 11. Acombination according to claim 6, in which said gasket molding stripsand said panel molding strips are formed with interengageable shouldersfor locating said gasket molding strips.
 12. A combination according toclaim 6, iN which said panel molding strips and said inner side wallsare formed with interengageable shoulders for locating said panelmolding strips.
 13. A combination according to claim 6, in which saidinner side walls are formed with outwardly projecting rear flanges forsupporting said panel molding strips, said first removable fastenerscomprising screws tapped into said outwardly projecting rear flanges.